Some thoughts on injuries, and let me at the quarter finals!

 

 Paul O'Connell ( picture http://bit.ly/1Mtsp6y )

A quick word on the injury toll this world cup.

Already 34 players have been replaced because of injury from the point when the 31-man squads were finalised to the end of the pool stage. At the same point in the 2011 World Cup, there had been 16 withdrawals.

Players are on average 9kgs heavier than the last world cup, and just play too much rugby. Whereas in America's National Football League there are only 16 regular season games in a season, England first five-eighth George Ford played 32 matches for club and country last season.

Our own Jonny Sexton was known as Jonny Vaccances for the amount of time he spent injured during his Racing Metro stay. With concussion a hot topic, the amount of games being played really has to be looked at.

And now, on the quarter finals!

First up on Saturday is the real heavy weight contest between South Africa and Wales. It’s unlikely to be a feast of running rugby, Wales have a strategy of seeking as much contact as possible, and the Springboks are the biggest team in the tournament, and pride themselves more than any other team in their physical approach, formed deep in their psyche as the way ‘real’ men play rugby. I’ve added in some effects for you to stick on you TV screen to enhance the experience!

 

 For Wales scrum half  Gareth Davies is one of the finds of the tournament, their best player so far for me, although Dan Biggar’s kicking has been awesome. South Africa actually have a better running backline than Wales should they choose use it. Wales don’t seem to have a plan B when smashing into the other team doesn’t work, so I’m going with South Africa.

France v the All Blacks is another  mouth watering prospect, so much to look forward to and enjoy. The French are the New Zealanders bogey team, and All Blacks have been under par by their high standards so far. And the French, what can you say? The biggest game of the last four years, and what do they do? Fire the coach on the eve of the match. It’s just so French, just so ‘We don’t care, we’ll do what we want, when we want, and if we want’. You have to have a bit of sneaky admiration for the cussedness of it! They so could win this, but I think this all Black team is just good and too organised.

Ireland head into their quarter with Argentina, shorn of a few players, but not down hearted and pretty realistic about the challenge ahead. The team is in a fantastic place when they lose of the best Irish players of all time, have doubts over Jonny Sexton, no Peter O ’Mahoney and have the Tullow Tank parked in the shed, but still  have the players to step in and take up the challenge. Argentina have a great team and have been playing fantastic rugby. But when you hear them talking about how well they can do at this World Cup…easy Tiger, you have beat Ireland before you can do well at the World Cup! I’ve no doubt that Joe Schmidt has the plans in place to rein their running game, and then their discipline is not always great, so I could see a yellow card for them easy enough. So basically, we’re going to win!

Finally Australia get to take on Scotland. Form suggests that this will be the least competitive of the 4, but Scotland know that this is knock out rugby now. They can play a nigglingly physical game, where the other team gets sucked down into endless tackles and mauls, they bang over a few penalties, and surprise!  I also don’t know how Australia will react to the ‘favourites to win the World Cup ‘ tag, and if they struggle early on, Scotland have a chance, But I’d be surprised to see Australia lose.

Finally, a quote from Jono Gibbs, former All Black, and Leinster player and coach , eloquently making his point: “Nobody in Rugby should be called a genius. A genius is a guy like Norman Einstein.”

Saturday, October 17               
MATCH        TIME  (BST)    TV    LOCATION
South Africa v    Wales     4:00 PM        Twickenham Stadium, London
France v    New Zealand     8:00 PM        Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Sunday, October 18               
MATCH        TIME  (BST)    TV    LOCATION
Argentina v    Ireland     1:00 PM        Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Australia v    Scotland     4:00 PM        Twickenham Stadium, London

It's the Hic! Hiccup! HCup! Heineken Cup! But who's going to end up with the hangover?

Picture from http://bit.ly/fe6Pyf

Well about bloody time for something to come along to blow those New Year blues away! But is this weekend going to leave some teams with a bigger hangover than ever? Let’s have a look... All the match details are at the bottom.


Leinster vs Saracens

Yes please! The best South African Beef, with a bit of British Steel and some Welsh odd bit taking on Leinsters finest. Sean O’Brien should play and Cian Healy, Jamie Heaslip and Jonathan Sexton all look likely to join him. Top of their group, it is all looking tickety boo for the men in Blue. They will do well not to underestimate Saracens, who are second in the premiership, but home advantage should send Saracens home with their tails between their legs. In an ideal world, Clermont Auvergne vs Racing Metro 92 in the same group would be a draw.

Ulster vs Biarritz

The feast continues at Ravenhill as the red hand gets to grips with Biarritz. It’s first plays second in this group, with Ulster able to leapfrog Biarritz if they come up trumps. Ulster have been getting their form together as the season has progressed while Biarritz currently lie 4th in the T14. There’s the old cliché Frenchteamsdontravelwell but a win for Biarritz here would effectively seal the group and the home semi for them. If they hadn’t lost to Aironi I’d say Biarritz were going to take this easily but I have a hunch they may implode again so I’m going for victory for the Ulstermen.

Toulon vs Munster

Another monster of a match - 1st plays 2nd, both teams have it all to play for. Toulon are 7th in the T14 but there is a real traffic jam from 4th to 9th. Toulon have a decent coach, deep pockets and home advantage. Paul O’Connell is available to start and I nearly resisted the temptation to say Munster are going to come out swinging but not quite obviously. Whether they win or lose to me rests more on the shoulders of O’Leary and O’Gara, even though it goes without saying that the pack is going to have to withstand a huge physical onslaught. As an aside, I’ve been hugely impressed by how Flannagan’s boots have been filled at hooker by Damien Varley and Mike Sherry. Munster have their impressive history in the Heineken Cup to draw on, and for that reason I think they’ll squeak in.

Bayonne vs Connacht

Connacht have been unable to match last season’s heroics in the ACC and Bayonne at home are a sobering prospect. They may be 8th in the T14 but they are still above Stade Francaise and Perpignan. Could be a black day for the men in green.

London Irish vs Ospreys

Irish are in free fall in the Premiership, and bottom of their table in the Heineken Cup. They have to entertain the star studded in form Ospreys this week and must be looking forward to the match like a trip to the dentist. They need a miracle to get out of this group, and I can’t see any motivation for them to win this so I’m going with the Ospreys.

Heineken Cup

Friday , January 14

Cardiff Blues vs Castres

Northampton vs Edinburgh

Clermont Auvergne vs Racing Metro 92

Saturday , January 15

Leinster vs Saracens 13:30

Toulouse vs Newport-Gwent D'gons 13:30

Benetton Treviso vs Perpignan 13:30

Bath vs Aironi Rugby 14:30

Ulster vs Biarritz 15:30

Scarlets vs Leicester 17:45

Sunday , January 16

Glasgow vs Wasps 13:00

London Irish vs Ospreys 15:00

Toulon vs Munster 15:00

Amlin Challenge Cup


Thursday , January 13

Agen vs La Rochelle

Friday , January 14

Brive vs Cetransa El Salvador 18:30

Sale vs Petrarca

Newcastle vs Montpellier

Saturday , January 15

Rovigo vs Gloucester 14:00

Cavalieri Prato vs Harlequins 14:00

Rugby Parma vs Bucuresti 14:00

Bayonne vs Connacht 19:45

Exeter vs Bourgoin 19:45

Sunday , January 16

Stade Francais vs Leeds Carnegie 17:45

Heineken Cup Rugby the Sequel - this time it's personal...

I just gave him a little tap... photo from http://bit.ly/hcHc8C

This is how it stacked up last weekend. France 6/7, Ireland 2/3, England 2/6, Wales 1/4, Italy 1/2, and Scotland 0/2.


Not pretty reading if you are a Scottish, Welsh or English supporter. The supposed flakiness of French teams on the road is questionable as three of the 6 French wins were away from home. And the one loss, that of Biarritz to Aironi, was nothing short of miraculous – Viadana is likely to rival Lourdes in the future for pilgrims.

This weekend they’re all the great back to back match ups to look forward to, an opportunity for teams to right all the wrongs from last week. I wouldn’t want to be in Aironi’s boots that for sure…

All the fixtures are at the bottom.

To get you in the mood, here are Toulouse's trys from last week:

Bath vs Ulster

This was a topsy turvey fixture last weekend, both sides seemingly intent on throwing it all away. Is there going to be more spirit of the game , old chap, or are we going to see some mongrel this week? I’m going to go with home advantage and tip Bath to win.

Ospreys vs Munster

Again bring it on! Munster had to come from behind last week to overcome the Ospreys, and it’ll be even harder this week away from home. They are without Paul O’Connell suspended for four weeks – Munster supporters would say that it’s a plot to keep Munster weak to give everyone else a chance. The Ospreys were a bit flat for me last week, good technical skills but not much flair. I’d tip them to come out on top this week.

Leinster vs Clermont Auvergne

The injuries are mounting up for Leinster now with Jamie Heaslip and Eoin O’Malley joining the host of other injuries. This is going to be another war of attrition against a physically huge and aggressive French team. Leinster may have lost last weekend but what they delivered in spades was heart. Whether heart is going to be enough this week remains to be seen on, on form and injuries Clermont must be favourites, but I think Leinster are going to pull one out the hat at what is going to be a freezing Aviva stadium.

Connacht vs Harlequins

Harlequins found Connacht surprisingly tough last week, and I think they are going to find the going even tougher this weekend. Connacht have quality players with confidence in their abilities and a good coach. They don’t have much depth, which could count towards the end of the match. I’m going with them to put some manners on their English guests

Racing Metro 92 vs Saracens


The anticipation for the match is nothing compared to the anticipation for the after match interview. Brendan Venter claims his on camera antics were a joke. Ho Ho Ho Brendan, you had us all in stitches. Looking at the result last weekend he should probably put a pause on his burgeoning acting career and concentrate on his coaching. Racing to win.

Toulon vs London Irish

Thinsgs are going horribly wrong at London Irish and unfortunately the pain is likely to continue against a buoyant Toulon. Who’s going to stop the French teams? Not London Irish anyway.

Otherwise, Leicester are going to have a fight on their hands with Perpignan, hard one to call that, Leicester with home advantage I guess.

Heineken Cup


Friday , December 17

Biarritz vs Aironi Rugby 18:00

Racing Metro 92 vs Saracens 20:00

Saturday , December 18

Toulouse vs Glasgow 13:30

Bath vs Ulster 13:30

Benetton Treviso vs Scarlets 13:30

Ospreys vs Munster 15:30

Toulon vs London Irish 15:30

Leinster vs Clermont Auvergne 17:45

Sunday , December 19

Wasps vs Newport-Gwent D'gons 13:00

Edinburgh vs Castres 14:00

Leicester vs Perpignan 15:00

Cardiff Blues vs Northampton 15:00

More Heineken Cup fixtures

Amlin Challenge Cup

Thursday , December 16

Stade Francais vs Bucuresti 19:45

Friday , December 17

Connacht vs Harlequins 19:00

Saturday , December 18

Agen vs Rovigo 13:30

Cavalieri Prato vs Bayonne 14:00

Bourgoin vs Montpellier 19:45

Sunday , December 19

Cetransa El Salvador vs Petrarca 11:00

Rugby Parma vs Leeds Carnegie 13:30

Newcastle vs Exeter 15:00

Sale vs Brive 15:00

Gloucester vs La Rochelle 17:45

Twitter style wrap of the Autumn internationals, the Barbarians play the Boks, and bits and pieces of Magners League and Aviva Premiership

Picture from http://bit.ly/gxkwqN

Autumn Round Up



New Zealand

4 from 4 Nah nah nah nah nah! We’re the kings of the castle and you’re the dirty rascals! Well they are the King’s of the castle at the moment

Australia

3 from 4 They were down! They were up! Like a rollercoaster. Some of their fans threw up after the England game

South Africa

3 from 4 Strange tour, looked rubbish apart from the last game but only lost once. Are they old and tired and past it or are they going to pull a rabbit out of the hat next year?

Scotland

2 from 3 Appalling against the AB’s, gritty and victorious against the Boks, so so against Samoa. Will the real Scotland stand up please?

England

2 from 4 Looked like they were building until the Boks ran them over. Lots of potential, on the up at eh moment.

Ireland

2 from 4 Slipped up against the Boks, did OK otherwise. Can at least blame missing personnel. New Zealand match gave the country something to take their minds off the economy.

Wales

1 1/2 from 4 Have to be disappointed if you’re Welsh, should have got the Boks, should have beaten Fiji. Should be doing better.

Weekend Preview


South Africa v the Barbarians

First up, I’m impressed to see they’ve found some barbarians who don’t play for South Africa. Ohh, it’s the Barbarians, not the barbarians, now I get it! I love this fixture, open rugby tries and the spirit of rugby. It doesn’t always live up to that, of course, there are just about no Northern Hemishpere players because it’s outside the Autumn window. And the Bok team has a youthful look about it too, and there’s been far too many 3 pointers in the last few encounters. The Spirit of Rugby is now Heineken or Guinness I guess. But I’m still looking forward to it, sounds like the coaches are preparing the teams for entertainment, and weather permitting it should be great. Here’s a few snaps from training: http://blogs.sport24.co.za/frg/scrumming-with-the-boks http://blogs.sport24.co.za/frg/now-this-was-a-special-day

Magners League

Scarlets vs Leinster

The Magner’s League didn’t stop in August, it just felt like that, now the spotlight returns as Leinster visit the Parc y Scarlets – the only teams in the league hard enough to take the cold tonight! It’s a decent looking Leinster side even with a few stars missing, and most of the firepower for the Scarlets seems to be on the bench, so I’m going with Leinster.

Leinster http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/newsroom/5915.php

Scarlets http://www.scarlets.co.uk/eng/rugby/3347.php

Munster vs Cardiff Blues

The other tough teams in the league (what is it with other lightweights, scared of a bit of snow?) match up at Thomond Park. It’s an impressive looking Munster squad, excellent to see O’Connell and O’Leary back in the frame. No news yet on The Blues team but If Australia can’t win at Thomond I can’t see the blues doing it either, Munster by 8

Munster Squad http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/8344.php

Aviva Premiership

London Irish vs Leicester

This looks like an excellent match. I haven’t seen the teams yet – I’ll have to have a look on Wikileaks as they seem to be treated with the utmost of secrecy right up until the match. I fancy Irish are going to put some manners on the Tigers, but we’ll see. Actually I won’t as I’ll be watching the Ba Ba’s.

Fri - 3rd Dec 10

19:00 Magners Lge Connacht vs Aironi Rugby

Postponed - due to frozen pitch

19:05 Magners Lge Scarlets vs Leinster

19:05 Magners Lge Ulster vs Newport-Gwent D'gons

19:30 Magners Lge Glasgow vs Benetton Treviso

19:45 Aviva Prem Sale vs Gloucester

20:00 Aviva Prem Newcastle vs Bath

Postponed - due to frozen pitch

Sat - 4th Dec 10

14:30 Barbarians v South Africa

17:00 Magners Lge Munster vs Cardiff Blues

18:30 Magners Lge Ospreys vs Edinburgh

14:30 Aviva Prem London Irish vs Leicester

Sun - 5th Dec 10

14:15 Aviva Prem Saracens vs Harlequins

15:00 Aviva Prem Leeds Carnegie vs Northampton

15:00 Aviva Prem Wasps vs Exeter